parks Archives - L.A. Parent

Make Screen Time Green Time with the SoCal Explorer

Published January 13, 2023

In response to the huge demand for free, fun and active outdoor experiences, the City of Los Angeles has partnered with parks and public spaces across Southern California to get people exploring, learning and having fun with their families. The SoCal Explorer Campaign uses Agents of Discovery®, an educational technology app that enables educators to create their own augmented reality games. Think Pokémon GO for parks and education.

Bob Blumenfield, Councilmember of LA’s Third District, says, “As you explore, you’ll learn about local plant and bug life, wildfire prevention, conservation efforts and much more. Good luck with your Mission and I hope to see you at Reseda Park.”

The SoCal Explorer 4.0 Campaign ran from September 23rd to December 18th, 2022, and will continue to run annually. Anyone can join in by downloading the free Agents of Discovery app and completing “Missions” or games at participating locations. To find the nearest location to you, click here. Each Mission has educational “Challenges” that teach players about local history, culture, ecosystems and safety. For example, at Griffith Park, players can learn about the history of Los Angeles and the plants and animals that live in the park. At Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, players can learn about Elasmobranchs, a class of animals that include sharks, skates and rays.

LA County also has many exciting Missions to play. Kim Bosell, Natural Areas Administrator for LA County Parks, says, “By using the Agents of Discovery app, you can use augmented reality to help you connect to local plants and wildlife, and to learn amazing facts about them.”

The campaign has amazing prizes to reward players, or “Agents”. At each site, players receive a fun patch featuring the avatar for that Mission. Agents also receive a SoCal Explorer badge once they have completed three Missions: A SoCal Advanced Explorer badge upon completing six, and a Super SoCal Explorer badge after completing nine. On top of that, players who complete at least five Missions will be entered in a draw to win a $25 gift card to Disney, Target or AMC and tickets to Travel Town train rides from Griffith Park Train Rides. The grand prize is an Apple Watch SE!

Dalia (pictured above) won tickets to the Huntington Gardens in last year’s SoCal Explorer Campaign. She earned the patches on her shirt by completing SoCal Explorer Missions.

Jenann Elias, the winner of the Apple Watch from last year, said, “Over the past year, it’s been so important to me to stay healthy as well as getting out in nature. The SoCal Explorer Campaign allowed me to enjoy local spots and discover new sites! The games are family-friendly and fun, while allowing me to explore the wonders of nature. Thanks for this fun opportunity!”

Another exciting part of the SoCal Explorer is the Smokey Bear 3.0 Mission. The USDA Forest Service and Edison International have developed a Smokey Bear Mission for the third year in a row to communicate vital human-caused wildfire prevention messages. This Mission teaches players about campfire safety, forest health and more. The Mission is playable at many SoCal Explorer locations. Smokey Bear 3.0 is available in English and Spanish.

In previous years, the Smokey Bear Mission was promoted by the beloved Betty White.

“If playing this game and learning about wildfire prevention helps us reduce even one human-caused wildfire, it would be so worthy of our time,” says Amtchat Edwards, Partnership Coordinator, USDA Forest Service.

The So Cal Explorer Program runs annually in the Fall and you can get more info at https://agentsofdiscovery.com/socal-explorer.

Griffith Park Celebrates 125 Years with Interactive Parkwide Event

Published November 5, 2021

By Nina Harada

Griffith Park celebrates its 125th anniversary.

When out-of-town guests ask me where they should go in L.A., the first place I suggest is Griffith Park. One of my fondest childhood memories is Travel Town Museum visits with my dad. Before our recent move, my husband and I spent twelve years waking up to the classic L.A. view of the Griffith Park Observatory next to the Hollywood sign, which I never took for granted. When my daughter was a newborn, the enchanting and shaded Ferndell trail was a weekly ritual. For my husband, it was hitting some golf balls after work at Wilson & Harding Driving Range. In other words, Griffith Park has something for everyone.

On Sunday Nov. 13, The Los Angeles Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and City of Los Angeles Council District 4, will celebrate the park and all it has to offer, with a free, day-long open-house-style event for the community. The public is invited to explore their favorite parts of the park they know and love and discover new corners of Griffith Park, while learning about its history dating back to 1896 when Colonel Griffith J. Griffith and his wife Mary Agnes Christine donated over 3,000 acres of former ranch land to the City of Los Angeles.

The Griffith Merry-Go-Round will act as the event’s central hub on Nov. 13.

Volunteer educators from 30 different organizations will be dispersed throughout Griffith Park to share the stories of its landmarks and cultural institutions, like the Los Angeles Zoo, the Autry Museum of the American West, the Greek Theatre and the Griffith Merry-Go-Round, which will act as the event’s central hub. At the Merry-Go-Round the public can pick up a map, which will also act as a passport booklet where participants can collect stamps at each site they visit. Food trucks, educational activities and entertainment will also be available for guests of all ages.

Griffith Park 125^th Anniversary celebration will go from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a special birthday ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Council District 4 Councilmember Nithya Ramen and Tongva Cultural Educator and Artist Craig Torres will give remarks, followed by a cake cutting. Eventgoers are encouraged to use public transportation to get to Griffith Park and to move from site to site throughout the day.

The Griffith Observatory is one of the sites you can visit during Griffith Park’s 125th Anniversary Celebration on Nov. 13.

To learn more about Griffith Park, transportation options, parking and a full schedule of events, visit LAconservancy.org.

Let’s Go Outside

Published July 2, 2021

By Jill Carter

Instead of shuttering their doors completely, these businesses kept up the fun by offering outdoor options

Campbelle tries out a scooter in Micro Kickboard while her friend Sally watches. Can you spot Sally?

What an absolute ride this school year was! Congratulations to us all for pulling through. Now, with the arrival of summer, we could all use some relaxing family fun in our reopened city. I don’t know about your family, but my kids are ready to dive right in and make up for lost time. Ever the cautious parent, however, I began a search for fun activities that we could safely do as a family as we reemerge into society.

Check out a few of my favorites that we’ll be frequenting all summer, especially because they offer outdoor options. If L.A. is anything, it’s creative. From pop-up shops to pedestrian-friendly makeovers, our city has welcomed us back with open arms.

Family fun in Playa Vista

Playa Vista has long been a great community for families to enjoy the various parks, restaurants and shops. Recently, local officials have gone the extra mile to provide additional space for outdoor games and lounging.

The newly car-free center section of the shopping area Runway Playa Vista now serves as a pedestrian’s paradise. Restaurants have spilled onto the sidewalks, additional seating has been added and there are a few tables of games such as air hockey and ping pong to keep families entertained.

The game tables are right outside the Micro Kickboard Pop-Up Shop. In order to get the pieces to play the games, pop into the Micro Kickboard scooter store and give your ID in exchange for the pieces.

This “Shorty” is ready for yoga pods and virtual yoga.
PHOTO COURTESY @shortylosangeles

While you’re there, be sure to check out their scooters. They have something for everyone, ranging from tiny scooters for babies to adult sizes. And you can try out the scooters on their indoor test tracks for some added amusement. Getting my girls out of there was a struggle!

Shorty Yoga

Shorty Yoga has mastered the art of what so many businesses have had to do as a result of the pandemic: pivot. The unique aspect of Shorty’s is that it’s a kids-only yoga studio. While the indoor studio was temporarily closed, the instructors found a way to make yoga for kids fun and safe by offering virtual classes, private classes and in-person, “shorty pods” at families’ homes. These pods consist of gathering two to four children in an outdoor space for some socially distanced stretching.

Founder Donna Delshad says, “We had to get our Shorties outside to have some fun, interact with their peers and feel good, all while staying safe from COVID.”

Drive-in has become our weekly go-to activity! Campbelle (my youngest daughter) is more excited than she looks.

Drive-in at the park

My family has done just about all of the “Netflix and chill” we could handle. We were thrilledto find that L.A. County Parks’ “Drive In at the Park” included Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area as one of the new locations. I’m not ashamed to admit that our favorite part is probably the food trucks. We also love inviting our friends to meet up so the kids can play in an outdoor space while wearing their masks and observing social distancing.

The movie showings are Friday and Saturday nights and they start at dusk, but you can arrive as early as 6:45 p.m. to set up and “pregame.” Parents, trust me on this one: pick a day, book your tickets via ticketfairy.com and watch as your kids delight in this centrally located experience.

My older daughter Elle is getting a head start on her summer reading list.
PHOTOS BY JILL CARTER

Village Well Books & Coffee

Bookstores are my family’s happy place. Village Well Books & Coffee is a gorgeous spot with bright vibrant colors everywhere from the books to the art to the furniture and fixtures around the store. One of my favorite aspects is the diversity of their titles. The children’s literature section represents a melting pot of cultures.

Owner Jennifer Caspar knew what she was doing by adding the café, which features coffees and teas, smoothies, pastries, breakfast burritos, sandwiches and more. You can dine outside on the bright colorful tables and chairs while enjoying the view of downtown Culver City.

Ice cream for breakfast? Don’t mind if I do!
PHOTO COURTESY @JENISICECREAMS

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Located in Playa Vista inside the new Free Market is Jeni’s Ice Cream. Jeni’s has locations throughout L.A. and in various cities around the country. The new Playa Vista location was our family’s first Jeni’s experience, and we are sold.

I especially loved that you have the option of getting a single scoop or two half scoops. The outdoor space at Jeni’s has plenty of tables and room for running around.

Beignet Box

Speaking of yummy treats, you don’t have to travel to New Orleans to get a taste of beignets this summer. The Beignet Box has all your delectable desires right in their super cute café, located in the heart of Studio City.

There are traditional beignets, mini beignets and (my older daughter’s favorite) the beignet sundae. This beignet with ice cream, caramel, chocolate and whipped cream is a party in your mouth. We left covered in powdered sugar from all the damage we did. They also have ample outdoor space to socially distance and still maintain a great view of the goings-on of the ever-bustling Ventura Boulevard.

So, welcome back in a bigger way this summer, L.A. My family will continue to take precautions, and I have a feeling that being outdoors more for eating and entertainment will be a part of our future for a long time to come.

Jill Carter is an attorney, writer and mother of two in L.A.

Explore L.A. County Parks with New Family Friendly Programs

Published April 2, 2021

Nina Harada

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation launched a variety of new and free programming for youth and families to enjoy the outdoors, following COVID-19 health guidelines. “This spring, more than ever before, we can all appreciate the need for outdoor activities and events that help children thrive while bringing our communities together,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

These free programs give families and children access to safe and fun recreation opportunities that promote health and wellness for all age groups while exploring our city’s many wonderful parks.

Every Body Explores

This new program encourages local communities to experience the outdoors by visiting trails, participating in workshops, and discovering open spaces. The drop-in program offers opportunities to become a community scientist through scavenger hunts and creative nature projects, like building a birdhouse. The program will be offered at seven L.A. County nature centers: Eaton, Placerita, and San Dimas Canyons, Stoneview, Vasquez Rocks, Whittier Narrows, and Deane Dana Friendship Park Nature Centers. Registration is not required.

Every Body Explores is Wednesdays through Fridays 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sports For All

This eight-week long program encourages youth ages 6-12 years to try something new or play a sport they already love. L.A. County Parks full-time recreation staff along with support from recurrent team members will offer basic training in core sports such as basketball, baseball, t-ball/coach pitch, softball, soccer, cheer, and volleyball. Pre-registration is required.

Sports For All is held Saturdays April 10 – May 29. Trainings are 2-hour sessions.

Grab-N-Go

This program launched at the beginning of the pandemic and continues this spring with new offerings and ways to explore L.A. County Parks. The new outdoor activity kit includes food supplies, a kite, flying disc, sun catcher, a bug jar, butterfly catcher, magnifying glass and starter gardening kit. Families will also find spring pre-filled eggs to create their own hunt and a coloring book to enter the art contest by April 11 for a chance to win a bike and helmet.

Grab-N-Go requires pre-registration and spots are limited.